Following a successful technology trial launched last year, AT&T* announced the availability of AT&T Mobile Barcode Services, which allow businesses to create, publish and manage 1D (UPC) and 2D (QR and Data Matrix) barcodes.

AT&T Mobile Barcode Services include the following: AT&T Code Scanner, a free mobile application preloaded on many AT&T mobile devices, uses smartphone cameras to scan barcodes found in magazines, stores, websites and billboards. This fun, easy-to-use app unlocks new ways for consumers to experience their favorite brands, automatically launching companies’ mobile websites or offering sneak peeks into the latest products and deals. Compatible with all of the major smartphone OS platforms, AT&T Code Scanner gives people the incentive they need to start exploring the world of mobile barcodes.AT&T Code Management Platform provides businesses with a secure tool for creating mobile barcodes and managing the associated content, which can range from videos to coupons to sweepstakes to mobile websites. After creating their first mobile barcodes, companies can use AT&T Code Management Platform’s powerful reporting capabilities to gauge the effectiveness of mobile marketing campaigns.

With the AT&T Code Management Platform, businesses can also take advantage of mobile web page templates to design landing pages optimized for smartphones, which appear when consumers scan mobile barcodes. In addition, the flexible AT&T Code Management Platform allows companies to keep content fresh by changing the results of scanning a barcode without replacing the physical codes.

“Wherever people engage with traditional media – in newspapers or magazines, on signs or storefront displays – they can experience more with a mobile barcode,” said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. “After trialing the technology with top companies in industries such as entertainment, retail, marketing and hospitality, we’re confident that this solution will help our business customers to market more effectively and to immerse consumers in their brands, anytime and anywhere.”

During July and August, AT&T customers can try out this innovative technology by scanning mobile barcodes printed on AT&T billing envelopes. Without even opening their bills, customers can check out all of their account information by scanning the barcodes, launching myAT&T and logging in – right on their phones.

Forrester Research Inc. has predicted that more than 75 million cell phone users will access the mobile internet this year.(1) “Marketers who continue to merely dabble with testing the mobile channel run the risk of becoming irrelevant to their consumers if they don’t catch up,” according to the report “Evolving Your Mobile Marketing Presence”, Forrester Research, March 3, 2011.

Throughout the year, AT&T plans to unveil several new Mobile Marketing Solutions, designed to help businesses engage customers more effectively with dynamic, next-generation marketing campaigns and applications. AT&T offers a variety of Mobile Marketing Solutions today, AT&T Mobile Enterprise Application Platform (MEAP), and AT&T Global Smart Messaging Suite. Explore the possibilities at http://go-att.us/mobilemarketing.